Sec. 19a-420. (Formerly Sec. 19-539). Definitions. As used in this chapter:

(1) “Youth camp” means any regularly scheduled program or organized group activity advertised as a camp or operated only during school vacations or on weekends by a person, partnership, corporation, association, the state or a municipal agency for recreational or educational purposes and accommodating for profit or under philanthropic or charitable auspices five or more children, who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age, who are (A) not bona fide personal guests in the private home of an individual, and (B) living apart from their relatives, parents or legal guardian, for a period of three days or more per week or portions of three or more days per week, provided any such relative, parent or guardian who is an employee of such camp shall not be considered to be in the position of loco parentis to such employee’s child for the purposes of this chapter, but does not include (i) classroom-based summer instructional programs operated by any person, provided no activities that may pose a health risk or hazard to participating children are conducted at such programs, (ii) public schools, or private schools in compliance with section 10-188 and approved by the State Board of Education or accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education, which operate a summer educational program, (iii) licensed day care centers, or (iv) drop-in programs for children who are at least six years of age administered by a nationally chartered boys’ and girls’ club;

(2) “Resident camp” means any youth camp which is established, conducted or maintained on any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or buildings intended to accommodate five or more children who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age for at least seventy-two consecutive hours and in which the campers attending such camps eat and sleep;

(3) “Day camp” means any youth camp which is established, conducted or maintained on any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or buildings intended to accommodate five or more children who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age during daylight hours for at least three days a week with the campers eating and sleeping at home, except for one meal per day, but does not include programs operated by a municipal agency;

(4) “Person” means the state or any municipal agency, individual, partnership, association, organization, limited liability company or corporation;

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner and department of health with commissioner and department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-145 redefined “youth camp”, “resident camp” and “day camp”; Sec. 19-539 transferred to Sec. 19a-420 in 1983; P.A. 91-329 clarified that camps owned by the state or a municipal agency are included in definition of “youth camps”; P.A. 92-195 redefined “day camp” to exclude municipal programs; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-79 redefined “person” to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-94 redesignated Subdivs. (a) to (f) as Subdivs. (1) to (6), made other technical changes and amended the definition of “youth camp” by adding exception for classroom-based summer instructional programs; P.A. 01-195 duplicated technical changes made by P.A. 01-94, effective July 11, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 changed effective date of P.A. 01-94 from October 1, 2001, to June 6, 2001, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 04-221 amended the definitions of “resident camp” in Subdiv. (2) and “day camp” in Subdiv. (3) to add “under sixteen years of age”, effective June 8, 2004; P.A. 07-129 amended Subdiv. (1) to redefine “youth camp” as program or activity that operates only during school vacations or on weekends and serves children who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age and to add additional exceptions in new Subparas. (B)(iv) and (B)(v), effective September 1, 2007; P.A. 07-252 amended Subdiv. (1) to redefine “youth camp” as a regularly scheduled program or organized group activity advertised as a camp or operated only during school vacations or on weekends, delete former Subpara. (B)(iv) re programs that accommodate children under 3 years of age or operate at times other than during school vacations or on weekends, and redesignate existing Subpara. (B)(v) as Subpara. (B)(iv), amended Subdivs. (2) and (3) to establish minimum age requirement of 3 years for resident and day camps and amended Subdiv. (4) to redefine “person” to include the state and municipal agencies, effective September 1, 2007; P.A. 09-232 redefined “youth camp” in Subdiv. (1); P.A. 14-39 redefined “commissioner” in Subdiv. (5) by replacing “Commissioner of Public Health” with “Commissioner of Early Childhood”, and replaced definition of “department” with definition of “office” in Subdiv. (6), effective July 1, 2014.

Sec. 19a-421. (Formerly Sec. 19-540). License required. Qualifications. Duration of validity. Fees. No person shall establish, conduct or maintain a youth camp without a license issued by the office. Applications for such license shall be made in writing at least thirty days prior to the opening of the youth camp on forms provided and in accordance with procedures established by the commissioner and shall be accompanied by a fee of eight hundred fifteen dollars or, if the applicant is a nonprofit, nonstock corporation or association, a fee of three hundred fifteen dollars or, if the applicant is a day camp affiliated with a nonprofit organization, for no more than five days duration and for which labor and materials are donated, no fee. All such licenses shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance unless surrendered for cancellation or suspended or revoked by the commissioner for violation of this chapter or any regulations adopted under section 19a-428 and shall be renewable upon payment of an eight-hundred-fifteen-dollar license fee or, if the licensee is a nonprofit, nonstock corporation or association, a three-hundred-fifteen-dollar license fee or, if the applicant is a day camp affiliated with a nonprofit organization, for no more than five days duration and for which labor and materials are donated, no fee.

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner and department of health with commissioner and department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-540 transferred to Sec. 19a-421 in 1983; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 increased license and renewal fees from $100 to $650 except if applicant is a nonprofit, nonstock corporation or association then from $25 to $250; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-317 added the fee exemption for five-day duration day camps with donated labor and materials; P.A. 01-195 referenced Sec. 19a-428 re regulations and made technical changes, effective July 11, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 increased fees from $650 to $815 and from $250 to $315; P.A. 14-39 replaced “department” with “office” and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2014.

Sec. 19a-422. (Formerly Sec. 19-541). Requirements for licensing of camps. License to be displayed. To be eligible for the issuance or renewal of a youth camp license pursuant to this chapter, the camp shall satisfy the following requirements: (1) The location of the camp shall be such as to provide adequate surface drainage and afford facilities for obtaining a good water supply; (2) each dwelling unit, building and structure shall be maintained in good condition, suitable for the use to which it is put, and shall present no health or fire hazard as so certified by the office and the State Fire Marshal or local fire marshal, as indicated by a current fire marshal certificate dated within the past year and available on site when the youth camp is in operation; (3) there shall be an adequate and competent staff, which includes the camp director or assistant director, one of whom shall be on site at all times the camp is in operation, activities specialists, counselors and maintenance personnel, of good character and reputation; (4) prior to assuming responsibility for campers, staff shall be trained, at a minimum, on the camp’s policies and procedures pertaining to behavioral management and supervision, emergency health and safety procedures and recognizing, preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect; (5) all hazardous activities, including, but not limited to, archery, aquatics, horseback riding and firearms instruction, shall be supervised by a qualified activities specialist who has adequate experience and training in such specialist’s area of specialty; (6) the staff of a resident and nonresident camp shall at all times include an adult trained in the administration of first aid as required by the commissioner; (7) records of personal data for each camper shall be kept in any reasonable form the camp director may choose, and shall include (A) the camper’s name, age and address, (B) the name, address and telephone number of the parents or guardian, (C) the dates of admission and discharge, and (D) such other information as the commissioner shall require. Any youth camp licensed under this chapter shall operate only as the type of camp authorized by such license. Such camps shall not advertise any service they are not equipped or licensed to offer. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place at camp headquarters and failure to so post the license shall result in the presumption that the camp is being operated in violation of this chapter.

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-145 required that camps operate only as authorized by license and that they not advertise services they are not equipped or licensed to offer; Sec. 19-541 transferred to Sec. 19a-422 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-195 replaced alphabetic Subdiv. designators with numeric designators and made technical changes, including changes for the purpose of gender neutrality, effective July 11, 2001; P.A. 06-195 amended Subdiv. (2) by deleting provision requiring camps to obtain health and fire hazard certification from department or State Fire Marshal within 90 days of application, requiring department and state or local fire marshal to certify each of the camp’s dwelling units, buildings and structures as presenting no health or fire hazard, and requiring fire marshal certificate to be dated within the past year and available on site when youth camp is in operation, amended Subdiv. (3) by requiring director or assistant director to be on site when camp is in operation, added new Subdiv. (4) establishing minimum staff training requirements and renumbered existing Subdivs. (4) to (6) as Subdivs. (5) to (7), respectively; P.A. 14-39 replaced “department” with “office” in Subdiv. (2), effective July 1, 2014.

Sec. 19a-423. (Formerly Sec. 19-542). Disciplinary actions. Due process and appeal procedures. No review of denial of initial license applications. (a) The commissioner may take any of the actions authorized under subsection (b) of this section if the youth camp licensee: (1) Is convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude, the record of conviction being conclusive evidence thereof; (2) is legally adjudicated insane or mentally incompetent, the record of such adjudication being conclusive evidence thereof; (3) uses any narcotic or any controlled drug, as defined in section 21a-240, to an extent or in a manner that such use impairs the licensee’s ability to properly care for children; (4) fails to comply with the statutes and regulations for licensing youth camps; (5) furnishes or makes any misleading or any false statement or report to the office; (6) refuses to submit to the office any reports or refuses to make available to the office any records required by it in investigating the facility for licensing purposes; (7) fails or refuses to submit to an investigation or inspection by the office or to admit authorized representatives of the office at any reasonable time for the purpose of investigation, inspection or licensing; (8) fails to provide, maintain, equip and keep in safe and sanitary condition premises established for or used by the campers pursuant to minimum standards prescribed by the office or by ordinances or regulations applicable to the location of such facility; or (9) wilfully or deliberately violates any of the provisions of this chapter.

(b) The commissioner, after a contested case hearing held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, may take any of the following actions, singly or in combination, in any case in which the commissioner finds that there has been a substantial failure to comply with the requirements established under sections 19a-420 to 19a-428, inclusive, the Public Health Code or regulations adopted pursuant to section 19a-428: (1) Revoke a license; (2) suspend a license; (3) impose a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars per violation for each day of occurrence; (4) place a licensee on probationary status and require such licensee to report regularly to the office on the matters that are the basis of the probation; (5) restrict the acquisition of other facilities for a period of time set by the commissioner; or (6) impose limitations on a license.

(c) The commissioner shall notify the licensee, in writing, of the commissioner’s intention to suspend or revoke the license or to impose a licensure action. The licensee may, if aggrieved by such intended action, make application for a hearing, in writing, over the licensee’s signature to the commissioner. The licensee shall state in the application in plain language the reasons why the licensee claims to be aggrieved. The application shall be delivered to the commissioner not later than thirty days after the licensee’s receipt of notification of the intended action.

(d) The commissioner shall hold a hearing not later than sixty days after receipt of such application and shall, at least ten days prior to the date of such hearing, mail a notice, giving the time and place of the hearing, to the licensee. The hearing may be conducted by the commissioner or by a hearing officer appointed by the commissioner, in writing. The licensee and the commissioner or hearing officer may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses. The licensee shall be entitled to be represented by counsel and a transcript of the hearing shall be made. If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, the hearing officer shall state the hearing officer’s findings and make a recommendation to the commissioner on the issue of revocation or suspension or the intended licensure action.

(e) The commissioner, based upon the findings and recommendation of the hearing officer, or after a hearing conducted by the commissioner, shall render the commissioner’s decision, in writing, suspending, revoking or continuing the license or regarding the intended licensure action. A copy of the decision shall be sent by certified mail to the licensee. The decision revoking or suspending the license or a decision imposing a licensure action shall become effective thirty days after it is mailed by registered or certified mail to the licensee. A licensee aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner may appeal in the same manner as provided in section 19a-85.

(f) The provisions of subsections (c) to (e), inclusive, of this section shall not apply to the denial of an initial application for a license under section 19a-421, provided the commissioner notifies the applicant of any such denial and the reasons for such denial by mailing written notice to the applicant at the applicant’s address shown on the license application.

(g) If the office determines that the health, safety or welfare of a child or staff person at a youth camp requires imperative emergency action by the office to halt an activity being provided at the camp, the office may issue a cease and desist order limiting the license and requiring the immediate cessation of the activity. The office shall provide the licensee with an opportunity for a hearing regarding the issuance of a cease and desist order. Such hearing shall be held not later than ten business days after the date of issuance of the order. Upon receipt of such order, the licensee shall cease providing the activity and provide immediate notification to staff and the parents of all children attending the camp that such activity has ceased at the camp until such time as the cease and desist order is dissolved by the office.

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-542 transferred to Sec. 19a-423 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 deleted provision re appeal of denial in Subsec. (a) and made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b); P.A. 06-195 deleted former Subsec. (a) re denial of applications for original youth camp license, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (a) and amended same by replacing provision authorizing department to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew youth camp licenses with provision authorizing department to take any actions authorized under Subsec. (b) and by rewording Subdiv. (4) to authorize department to take disciplinary action against licensees that fail to comply with statutes and regulations for licensing youth camps, added new Subsec. (b) to authorize specific disciplinary actions following contested case hearings, added Subsecs. (c) to (e) re due process and appeal procedures and added Subsec. (f) to exempt denials of initial applications for youth camp licenses from due process and appeal procedures; P.A. 09-232 added Subsec. (b)(6) re imposition of limitations on a license and added Subsec. (g) re issuance of cease and desist orders to halt youth camp activities that imperil health, safety or welfare of children or camp staff; P.A. 14-39 replaced “Commissioner of Public Health” with “commissioner” and replaced “department” with “office”, effective July 1, 2014.

Sec. 19a-424. (Formerly Sec. 19-543). Appeal. Any licensee aggrieved by the action of the commissioner in suspending or revoking any license under the provisions of this chapter may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.

History: 1971 act required bringing of appeal “not less than twelve or more than thirty days after service thereof” rather than on “next return day” or “next but one”; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court and included judicial districts, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-603 replaced previous detailed appeal provisions with statement that appeals to be made in accordance with Sec. 4-183; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-543 transferred to Sec. 19a-424 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 deleted provisions re applicant appeal of action denying license and made a technical change.

Sec. 19a-425. (Formerly Sec. 19-544). Penalty. Equitable relief. Any person who establishes, conducts or maintains a youth camp without a license as required by this chapter for a first offense shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars, and for a second or subsequent offense shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand five hundred dollars, and each day during which a youth camp is conducted or maintained without a license, after notification to such person by the commissioner, shall constitute a separate offense. The commissioner may apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, or for the judicial district where the defendant named in such application resides, for an injunction to restrain the operation or maintenance of a youth camp by any person other than a licensed operator. The application for such injunction or the issuance of the same shall be in addition to and shall not relieve any such person from the imposition of a civil penalty under this section. In connection with any such application for an injunction, it shall not be necessary to prove that an adequate remedy at law does not exist.

History: P.A. 74-338 made technical correction, inserting the word “shall”; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court and included judicial districts, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 deleted reference to counties and replaced Hartford county with judicial district of Hartford-New Britain; Sec. 19-544 transferred to Sec. 19a-425 in 1983; P.A. 88-230 replaced “judicial district of Hartford-New Britain” with “judicial district of Hartford”, effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 99-125 changed penalty from a fine to a civil penalty, deleted reference to criminal prosecution and made technical changes; P.A. 11-242 increased maximum civil penalty for first offense from $500 to $1,000 and increased maximum civil penalty for subsequent offense from $750 to $1,500; P.A. 14-39 replaced “Commissioner of Public Health” with “commissioner”, effective July 1, 2014.

Sec. 19a-426. (Formerly Sec. 19-545). Inspection of facilities. The office shall inspect or cause to be inspected the facilities to be operated by an applicant for an original license before the license shall be granted, and shall annually thereafter inspect or cause to be inspected the facilities of all licensees. No annual inspection shall be required under this section in the case of facilities of a licensee located in any dormitory, classroom or other building or any athletic facility owned and maintained by any college or university, provided a timely safety inspection of such building or facility, satisfactory to the office, is conducted by or on behalf of such college or university.

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-545 transferred to Sec. 19a-426 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-94 added provisions re college or university buildings or facilities; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 changed effective date of P.A. 01-94 from October 1, 2001, to June 6, 2001, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 14-39 replaced “Department of Public Health” and “department” with “office”, effective July 1, 2014.

Sec. 19a-427. (Formerly Sec. 19-546). Authorization to accept financial assistance. The commissioner is authorized to accept, on behalf of the state, any grants of federal or private funds made available for any purposes consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may direct the disposition of any such grants so accepted in conformity with the terms and conditions under which given.

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with secretary of the office of policy and management and, effective January 1, 1979, replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services; Sec. 19-546 transferred to Sec. 19a-427 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 14-39 replaced “Commissioner of Public Health” with “commissioner”, effective July 1, 2014.

Sec. 19a-428. (Formerly Sec. 19-547). Regulations re safe operation, physical examinations and glucose monitoring for diabetes. (a) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, relating to the safe operation of youth camps, including, but not limited to, personnel qualifications for director and staff; ratio of staff to campers; sanitation and public health; personal health, first aid and medical services; food handling, mass feeding and cleanliness; water supply and waste disposal; water safety, including use of lakes and rivers, swimming and boating equipment and practices, vehicle condition and operation; building and site design; equipment; and condition and density of use, as the commissioner may deem necessary or desirable. Such regulations shall be construed to be minimum standards subject to the imposition and enforcement of higher standards by any town, city or borough.

(b) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, allowing physical examinations or health status certifications required by youth camps prior to the date of arrival at youth camps to be made by a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378 or a physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 370. Such regulations shall permit a child’s physical examination and health assessment form, as described in section 10-206, that is required for school purposes to also be used to satisfy any such required youth camp examination or certification, subject to such conditions regarding the timeliness of such examination as the commissioner deems appropriate.

(c) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, that specify conditions under which youth camp directors and staff may administer tests to monitor glucose levels in a child with diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations adopted by the commissioner, to a child enrolled in a youth camp at such camp. The regulations shall require authorization pursuant to: (1) The written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 378, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 370, a podiatrist licensed under chapter 375 or an optometrist licensed under chapter 380; and (2) the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child.

Sec. 19a-429. Complaints against youth camps. Investigation of complaints. Disclosure of information re complaints and investigations. Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a youth camp, as defined in section 19a-420, is operating without a current and valid license or in violation of regulations adopted under section 19a-428 or in a manner which may pose a potential danger to the health, welfare and safety of a child receiving youth camp services, may report such information to the office. The office shall investigate any report or complaint received pursuant to this section. In connection with any investigation of a youth camp, the commissioner or the commissioner’s authorized agent may administer oaths, issue subpoenas, compel testimony and order the production of books, records and documents. If any person refuses to appear, to testify or to produce any book, record or document when so ordered, a judge of the Superior Court may make such order as may be appropriate to aid in the enforcement of this section. The name of the person making the report or complaint shall not be disclosed unless (1) such person consents to such disclosure, (2) a judicial or administrative proceeding results therefrom, or (3) a license action pursuant to section 19a-423 results from such report or complaint. All records obtained by the office in connection with any such investigation shall not be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 for a period of thirty days from the date of the petition or other event initiating such investigation, or until such time as the investigation is terminated pursuant to a withdrawal or other informal disposition or until a hearing is convened pursuant to chapter 54, whichever is earlier. A formal statement of charges issued by the office shall be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 from the time that it is served or mailed to the respondent. Records which are otherwise public records shall not be deemed confidential merely because they have been obtained in connection with an investigation under this section.

(P.A. 06-195, S. 10; P.A. 14-39, S. 83.)

History: P.A. 14-39 replaced references to Commissioner and Department of Public Health with references to commissioner and office and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2014.